GST returned to people – Kurup
NABAWAN: The collection from Goods and Services Tax (GST) and other taxes have been returned to the people through the provision of various forms of assistance and incentives, said Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Tan Sri Joseph Kurup.
Kurup assured that the government was well aware of the rising cost of living incurred on the people as a result of global economic uncertainty and hence, the government will work to find solutions to address this problem.
"The government has set up a committee led by the Deputy Prime Minister to study and find solutions to address the rising cost of living," he said when delivering the 1Malaysia People's Aid (BR1M) at the Pagalungan sub-district culture hall here yesterday.
A total of 402 people from Pagalungan and Pensiangan received their BR1M, delivered by Kurup.
Kurup, who is also Pensiangan member of parliament, said the GST collection had helped the government to channel various assistance to those who were eligible including BR1M, early schooling assistance, assistance for the disabled, scholarships and health subsidies.
This financial aid helped the people to reduce their burden in term of expenses, he stressed.
"The opposition's statement to abolish the GST is totally untrue. This is the opposition's bait to attract the attention of the people to get political power.
"How do we eliminate the GST while most other countries in the world have implemented it? Our country (Malaysia) is among the countries that impose the lowest GST rate at six per cent.
"If the GST is abolished, the country will lose its revenue source and could become bankrupt," he warned.
Kurup, who is also Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS) president, said the Barisan Nasional (BN) government was a government that was concerned about the well-being of the people.
He said what the government promised would be fulfilled, pointing out that the government had promised to raise BR1M from RM1,000 to RM1,200 today and the government had implemented it.
Kurup also advised the villagers to spend the financial aid provided by the government on essential items for the benefit of their families.
He also urged villagers to continue supporting BN in the 14th General Election.
"This is necessary to ensure that any plans made to develop rural areas can be continued," he said.
Also present at the ceremony were Pagalungan assistant district officer Aloysius Anthony, PBRS vice president Arthur Joseph Kurup, district chief OKK Tinus Lindas and PBRS and community leaders.